Our Process: From First Call to Finished Repair
Bring your vehicle in, and we take it from there. Every visit includes a free Courtesy Inspection covering major systems, including the battery. If we find a starting or charging issue, we perform a complimentary Digital Vehicle Inspection (DVI) that captures photos and videos of exactly what we found. Those are sent directly to your phone, and you can approve or deny any recommendation right from your smartphone. No phone tag, no pressure.
1. Schedule Your Appointment
Whether scheduling online or over the phone be sure and let us know what you're experiencing so we can provide fast and accurate service advice.
2. Diagnostics and Inspections
Drop off your vehicle and the shop will get to work with inspections and diagnostics using the same equipment as the manufacturers to determine issues and next steps.
3. Digital Vehicle Inspection Report and Estimate
Following the diagnosis we will text you a digital vehicle inspection report, containing pictures and videos of our findings and recommendations.
4. Review and Approval
A service advisor will reach out to walk you through the findings and recommendations to determine how you would like to proceed, or you can approve work directly in your DVI.
5. Work Performed or Scheduled
Most work can be completed immediately, or scheduled based on parts and customer availability.
Repairs Backed by the Nice Difference® Warranty
Every alternator and starter repair we perform is covered by our Nice Difference® Warranty: 3 years or 36,000 miles, whichever occurs last. This warranty is honored at any Christian Brothers Automotive location nationwide, regardless of which location did the original work. If you’re ever traveling and something comes up, this coverage applies there too.
How Starters & Alternators Work Together
Your starting system and charging system depend on each other. When one component fails, it puts stress on the others, and a car that won’t start could have a problem anywhere in that chain. Without a functioning alternator, the battery drains quickly and can leave you stranded even after a successful jump-start.
If your vehicle is showing any of these symptoms in Collierville or anywhere in Fayette County, don’t wait. Our complimentary shuttle service means you won’t be stuck without a car while we work on yours. Call Christian Brothers Automotive Collierville at (901) 716-8146 to schedule your alternator replacement in Collierville or a full starting-system inspection today.
What the Starter Does
The starter draws power from the battery to crank the engine and initiate combustion. Starter problems can stem from electrical failure, mechanical wear, or the part breaking down entirely. Because the starter only engages for a moment each time you start the car, problems often develop gradually before they cause a complete no-start.
What the Alternator Does
Once the engine is running, the alternator takes over. It recharges the battery and powers electrical components like headlights and windshield wipers while the engine runs. A serpentine belt drives the alternator, so belt wear can affect charging-system performance as well. When the alternator fails, the battery eventually runs out of charge entirely.
Why Diagnosis Comes First
Our technicians perform a comprehensive vehicle inspection before recommending any repair. Replacing a battery when the alternator is actually at fault means the new battery can drain just as fast. We confirm which component is causing the problem so the repair we recommend addresses the right issue. For drivers dealing with starting trouble, that diagnostic step can be the difference between a fix and a repeat visit.
Your Local Christian Brothers Amenities
FAQs
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Q. "Why is the alternator important?"The alternator helps the battery maintain power. As the car is driving, it’s gaining power from the engine. During this time, the alternator is charging the battery. When the car stops running, the charge from the alternator allows the battery to continue providing power to the car.
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Q. "What does the alternator do?"As an alternate source of power, the alternator helps many features in the car run. It helps your air conditioning maintain proper airflow, powers the radio, and turns on the headlights, among other things. It can also add power to the engine.
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Q. "Where is the alternator located?"You’ll typically find the alternator near the front of the engine, bolted in with two brackets. One is adjustable (to allow for drive belt-tightening) while the other is fixed.
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Q. "What are some signs that my starter is going bad?"Some common symptoms that your starter is going bad or is dead include: clicking or other odd noises, lights working in your car but the engine won't turn, taking more than one attempt to start, or smoke coming from the hood.
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Q. "Do you offer a warranty?"As part of our Nice difference.® commitment to providing our customers the best auto service experience possible, we also offer a3-year/36,000-mile warranty on all the work that we do. We offer this warranty at every Christian Brothers Automotive nationwide, and it will be honored at any location, regardless of which branch did the initial work.
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Q. "What is a Digital Vehicle Inspection?"With a complimentary Digital Vehicle Inspection (DVI) on every visit, you’ll see firsthand photos of your vehicle from under the hood. We’ll let you know if everything is functioning properly or if there are any areas of concern. You can even approve or deny our service recommendations, all straight from your smartphone, or you can, of course, give us a call and we’ll explain our findings in further detail.
Have more Questions?
Our friendly auto service experts have the answers.
Call your local Christian Brothers Automotive car shop today
Hear What Our Customers Had to Say About Us
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"When you want into this automtive service center its an entirely different experience. There is not push to spend money, no feeling that they care more about your wallet then they do your business. They give good solid advice, but you stay in control. They"
- Charlie Keffeler